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The winning bid will be revealed live on tonight's One Show on BBC 1, which is being broadcast from Hull's Fruit Market.

Mr Glen told the Mail: "This evening either Coventry, Paisley, Stoke, Sunderland or Swansea will take up the mantle from Hull and start work on their own fantastic show in 2021.

Arts minister John Glen

"While this is a day to celebrate for one city, it is also a day to reflect on the huge success of Hull 2017.

"Over the course of the year Hull has raised the bar of what UK City of Culture can do.

"I have been lucky enough to see first-hand the effect it has had, and have been inspired by how the community has come together to celebrate the heritage and culture of this brilliant city.

"Hull was in fact the first place I visited as a new Minister and today I return to pass on the baton to the next city.

City council leader Steve Brady with City of Culture volunteers at Hull City Hall.

"When Hull City Council bid for the title, it was a recognition of the power of culture to make people happy; to attract visitors; to increase investment and to change the face of the city. And how it has changed.

"As well as the refurbishment of the Ferens, the New Theatre and the upcoming project at Hull’s Maritime Museum, the city itself has been regenerated.

"Everyone will remember the orange barriers in the city centre as the council underwent a huge project of re-paving, lighting installation and fountain building but the results have been fantastic.

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"What has been so fundamental to Hull’s City of Culture tenure is that it won’t stop on December 31.

"The city is committed to using the skills gained over the last four years to ensure that the legacy of 2017 can be enjoyed for decades.

"Hull 2017 has demonstrated just how much culture, the arts and heritage can bring people together and provide significant boosts to the local economy.

Fantastic show in West Park for the City of Culture 2017 by Epicycle (Image: Richard Addison)

Mr Glen said repeating Hull's year in the spotlight will be the ultimate aim of tonight's winning city.

"I know that the next UK City of Culture will have been watching and will want to build on the success of Hull 2017.

"Of course, we must say thank you to all those who have made this happen - the original bid team who successfully won the title four years ago, the team at Hull 2017, the council, the volunteers and all those who have worked so hard this year to make each individual event, activity and exhibition a success.

"I know that the hard work that has gone into Hull 2017 will not stop here and the city will see the benefits of investment in arts and culture for many years to come."